Thank you for the comparative writing question between the Apostle Paul and Peter, “Why was Apostle Paul’s writing style very similar to Peter?”
In answering this question, let’s define “writing style. Here is a general description of writing style:
Writing styles would include the mechanical or technical aspects of writing, the voice of the writer’s word choice and worldview, and the tone of the writer’s attitude that may encompass formality, objectivity, intimacy and other aspects.
As one opens the Bible, care must be taken in making a distinction between reading a translation of the Bible and the Hebrew and Greek text. As one reads a translation, it appears that the style between the Apostle Paul and Peter are similar. This is due to translator(s) translation of the Greek text for the New Testament into our modern contemporary language. In other words, it is not a literal translation of the Greek text.
In the Greek text, Ephesians 1:3–14 is one long sentence, while the NIV translator divides it into six sentences. One can think that the sentence structures are similar, but they different if one bases the similarities on a translation of the New Testament.
One would expect similarities in content as to the Gospel, the return of Jesus Christ, Christian conduct in this world that includes family relationship, and church issues. Whether Jewish Christians or Gentile Christians, they faced similar problems.
One would expect similar words since both writers are addressing the same topics. If the topics and words are not similar, one may think that they were written in different era.
As one looks at the differences, I suggest the following for one’s consideration:
A. Paul’s writing is much more complex than Peter’s writing. Paul writes as a Pharisees with precision and logic (Ephesian 1, Colossians 1). Peter writes as a fishman and eyewitness of events (II Peter 1:4–21) .
B. Paul’s writing is much more expansive and theological for the Gentiles, emphasizing the deity of Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:5–11), while Peter emphasizes the Messiahship of Christ and their part in the Kingdom of God (II Peter 2:4–10). Paul emphasizes the Body of Christ, while Peter emphasizes the Priesthood of Jews.
C. Paul’s writing addresses in greater details the issues of the churches as in I-II Corinthians, while Peter is more general behavior. Paul elaborates. while Peter exhorts.
D. Paul’s writing is in defense of his apostleship or his teachings, while Peter’s apostleship is recognized by all.
Paul’s writing at times is in defense of those who questioned his apostleship or his authority as in II Corinthians, while Peter’s apostleship is never questioned at all. The believers readily accepted Peter’s writings, but some would dispute Paul’s standing as an apostle or his teaching. The Judaizers were in conflict with Paul’s teaching from the Law, but it doesn’t seem that Peter had that issue.
E. Paul’s writing style includes greetings from companions with him, while Peter’s writing hardly mentioned any companions with him.
It may well be necessary Peter doesn’t list the apostles with him for the recipients knew the Apostles and needed no reminding. For Paul, it is one of his signature signs of listing coworkers with him in the ministry so that the other churches know whether he was and who is with him.
Summary: In drafting a letter, there is socially accepted manner in the greeting and conclusion. One would expect similar content, but the sentence structure and emphasizes are different between Paul and Peter.
-Kingston